A solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg on Sunday, jointly led by Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg and Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu from the Church of Greece, according to the official website of the St. Petersburg Metropolis.

The hierarchs were concelebrated by Bishop Benjamin of Kronstadt, Archimandrite Alexander (Fedorov), rector of the cathedral, clergy of the Petrograd deanery, and members of the visiting Greek delegation in holy orders.

In his homily, Metropolitan Barsanuphius reflected on the Gospel parable of the sower and the seed, urging the faithful to “nourish the soul with the Word of God” and to guard the heart from worldly distractions. “If we wish to bring forth fruits pleasing to God — peace, love, joy, gentleness, and self-control — the soil of the heart must be good,” the archpastor said.

Turning to his guest from Greece, Metropolitan Barsanuphius highlighted the spiritual and historical ties between Russia and the island of Corfu, where the relics of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker rest. “Metropolitan Nektarios always welcomes Russian pilgrims with joy,” he noted. “When, far from home, there is a bishop who understands the Russian soul, it is something truly precious.”

In his reply, Metropolitan Nektarios expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasized the centuries-old friendship between the Russian and Greek peoples. He recalled the close historical connection between Corfu and Russia — through St. Theodore Ushakov, Ioannis Kapodistrias, and hierarchs Eugenios Voulgaris and Nikephoros Theotokis, who served in Russia during the 18th century.

Following the service, the hierarchs visited the Smolensk Cemetery, where they venerated the relics of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.